Description
JOIN THE ECS4Kids TEAM
At ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children’s Services), we honor young children’s immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children’s well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills.
Partner with us to help empower communities to rise above generational poverty with comprehensive early childhood education and holistic family support. We have career opportunities available in several counties throughout Northeast and Central Florida.
ECS4Kids offers a competitive benefit package which includes:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- 403(b) plan with 5% employer match
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Long-term & short-term disability insurance
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Paid holidays
- Generous paid time off
- Career development
- Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Ensure that education and early childhood development performance standards are met in Head Start/ Early Head Start. Provide training and support to the Head Start education staff by planning and coordinating programmatic support, curriculum support, and training which will ensure that Head Start / Early Head Start is implemented through quality programs.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Ensure that all Head Start / Early Head Start programs consistently meet the educational and performance standards set forth by Head Start, DCF, APPLE and ECS.
- Assist in the development of the coaching plan and identify coaching assignments.
- Provide direction & leadership to the education specialists through consistent communication and demonstration of expectations.
- Make weekly informal onsite observations of coaching for the purpose of monitoring the quality and effectiveness of coaching services and providing feedback and timely support to coaches.
- To further increase the effectiveness of in-class coaching and to ensure fidelity of implementation of the coaching model, provide quarterly formal feedback using the identified tool to observe onsite and videoed coaching conversations.
- Collaborate with other education managers to ensure consistency in communication and delivery of services among regions.
- Plan and facilitate monthly meetings with education staff.
- Review weekly the online coach support logs and provide feedback as needed. Review and complete all other required reports and documentation.
- Provide support to coaches in understanding and analyzing child assessment and screening to inform instruction and in the creation of small groups and individualized plans to meet the needs of each child.
- Provide leadership in obtaining a passing Readiness Rate in all VPK classrooms through ongoing monitoring of curriculum implementation, child outcomes, and data-informed instruction.
- Through system reports and onsite visits, monitor at least monthly the utilization of Hatch Ignite and STAR Early Literacy to ensure full participation by all eligible children.
- Provide in-class coaching support to identified teachers as needed.
- Support the professional development specialists, managers of center operations, and the training team in identifying individual training needs of teachers and center managers.
- Collaborate with the training department in creating and administering the training plan for Head Start / Early Head Start.
- Assist the training department in providing training and on-site support as needed to interns working in ECS classrooms.
- Collaborate with the Ed Operations team through ongoing communication and attendance at meetings.
- Be an active participant in the county-wide School Readiness Transition Committees.
- Obtain and maintain CLASS Observer certification in all three age groups.
- Attend/Participate in regular trainings to enhance services provided within the program.
20. Travel to conduct CLASS assessments as needed.
21. Review and update Head Start / Early Head Start Policies & Procedures, Work Plan, etc. as needed.
22. Assist in the accreditation process for all Head Start/Early Head Start sites. Provide support/follow-up as needed.
23. Stay current in the field of early childhood education through research, current literature, and attending workshops and conferences.
24. All other duties as requested to maintain the success of ECS.
(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related marginal duties as required.)
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:
- This position reports to the Associate VP of Early Education
Requirements
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- A baccalaureate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education
- A baccalaureate or advanced degree in education that includes ages K through 6, with 15 credit hours in early childhood education courses, and at least 480 hours experience teaching preschool-age children
- A baccalaureate or advanced degree in any field with 45 credit hours in early childhood education courses, with at least 480 hours of early education teaching experience
- CLASS experience required with CLASS certification preferred
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge and ability to articulate, demonstrate, and train others concerning current practices in early childhood education.
- Knowledge of CLASS, Conscious Discipline, Teaching Strategies Gold, and best practices in the field of Early Childhood Education.
- Knowledge of governmental and educational standards set forth by DCF, NAEYC, APPLE, Head Start, ECS and any other agency to which the agency commits.
- Ability to articulate and demonstrate expertise in current practices in early childhood education.
- Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to present information and ideas to large groups of people.
- Maintain strong commitment to needs of children and goals of ECS.
- Ability to plan and organize work as well as maintain records and prepare reports.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, i.e., Word, Excel.
- Knowledge of program evaluation methods and processes.
- Ability to work independently with little direct supervision.
- Ability to work with other employees and the public in a tactful and diplomatic manner.
- Ability to motivate people to high levels of commitment and performance.
- Ability to maintain confidential information.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work in fast-paced environments.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATIONS:
- Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile coverage
- Satisfactory Driving Record (as outlined in Vehicle Driving Policy)
- CLASS and TSG certification in Infant, Toddler & Preschool within 6 months of employment
- Complete a minimum of 15 hours of in-service training annually, July 1- June 30
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
- Works in an office setting
- Daily travel to multiple sites is required
- Some out-of-town travel, including nights and weekends required
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:
- Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction)
- Acceptable hearing (with or without correction)
- Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)
